Richard Wilkins’ heartfelt response to axing of Today show host Karl Stefanovic

Richard Wilkins honours “naughty schoolboy’’ Karl Stefanovic as he acknowledges pressure on the axed host | WATCH

Richard Wilkins and Karl Stefanovic share a laugh. Picture: David Swift

Karl Stefanovic’s Today show colleague and friend, Richard Wilkins, has paid tribute to the axed host, acknowledging the “difficult year” he’s endured on and off camera.

Wilkins, Today’s entertainment editor, this morning gave a heartfelt tribute to Stefanovic following yesterday’s announcement that his 14-year stint co-hosting the program had come to an end.

He described the former Gold Logie winner as an “intoxicating mix” of broadcaster and naughty schoolboy.

“I’ve had the honour, pleasure and sometimes the pressure of working alongside him almost every day over that time,” Wilkins said.

“It’s no secret that the past year has been a difficult time for Karl but I can say that every day he’s walked into the show with energy and passion, bringing ideas to make the show bigger and better.”

After 14 years with the show, it's time to say goodbye to Karl. Thank you for waking up with TODAY, we'll miss you! ❤️ #9Today pic.twitter.com/BusjFC4mwi

— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) December 19, 2018

Today has copped a battering from Seven’s Sunrise in the ratings this past year, its average daily audience in the five capital cities falling 15 per cent from 277,000 in 2017 to just 236,000 this year.

Stefanovic upset Nine executives when it was revealed he criticised Today co-host Georgie Gardner, Wilkins and network bosses in an Uber conversation with his brother, Peter, in March.

His private life — he ended his 21-year marriage to Cassandra Thorburn in 2016, before recently tying the knot with 34-year-old shoe designer Jasmine Yarbrough — has also faced intense scrutiny.

Nine announced earlier this week that Peter Stefanovic would be leaving the network, before revealing Karl’s axing from Today yesterday.

Georgie Gardner and Karl Stefanovic at the 2019 Nine Upfronts at Fox Studios in October. Picture: Christian Gilles

Gardner and Sylvia Jeffreys, Peter’s wife, are both on leave and weren’t on air this morning.

The Australian revealed yesterday that several other Today identities including Jefferies, sports presenter Tim Gilbert and Wilkins have their roles “under review”.

Wilkins, who has worked at Nine for over 30 years, admitted the Today co-host role was a tireless gig that came with a lot of scrutiny.

Karl Stefanovic, 44, has a $2 million contract with the network until 2020. Nine bosses confirmed yesterday that he will continue to host This Time Next Year, which records in February.

Former co-host Lisa Wilkinson took to Instagram last night, sharing photos of her and Stefanovic throughout the 10 years they hosted the show together.